Center Grove (9-1) at Columbus North (9-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: centergrovefootball.com (pregame 6:45 p.m.)
Recent history: Since the Bull Dogs’ last win against the Trojans in 2007, Center Grove has won four straight in the series, taking the past three by a combined score of 130-21.
Sagarin ratings: Center Grove 110.52 (second overall, second in Class 6A), Columbus North 93.92 (ninth overall, seventh in 6A).
Players to watch: Center Grove — QB Jack Kellams, Sr.; RB Russ Yeast, Sr.; RB Triston Clark, Sr.; OL Clay Hadley, Sr.; DE Dan Root, Sr. Columbus North — QB Triston Perry, Sr.; RB Mitchell Burton, Sr.; WR Jaylen Flemmons, Jr.; OT David Redding, Sr.; DT Coleman Tennyson, Sr.; CB J.D. Harris, Jr.; S Harley Huser, Sr.
Keys to victory: Center Grove’s defensive line, which didn’t receive much of a test last week and was off the week before, needs to perform at a higher level than it did in the regular-season finale against Cathedral. The Bull Dogs are simply too physical up front and too skilled offensively to be taken lightly.
Notable: North’s Burton, a Miami of Ohio commit, has rushed for 2,332 yards and 44 touchdowns since the start of the 2015 season.
Whiteland (6-4) at Columbus East (10-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: wchsradio.cpcsc.k12.in.us
Recent history: The Warriors are one of the few teams with a winning history against the Olympians. Whiteland claimed sectional victories against East in 2001, 2002 and 2010, winning by an average of 22.7 points, before Columbus East turned the tables with a 28-14 triumph last year.
Sagarin ratings: Whiteland 75.86 (43rd overall, 10th in Class 5A), Columbus East 88.64 (15th overall, third in 5A).
Players to watch: Whiteland — RB Ryan Hammond, Jr.; RB Edwin Cisneros, Sr.; WR Evan Hillman, Jr.; OL T.J. Singh, Sr.; DL Ryder Emberton, Sr.; LB Logan Mullinix, Sr.; LB Ryan Hahn, Sr.; LB Gared Kleyn, Sr. Columbus East — QB Josh Major, Jr.; RB Jamon Hogan, Jr.; WR Cam Wilson, Sr.; C/LB Harry Crider, Sr.; OT Jared Clark, Sr.; LB T.C. O’Neal, Sr.; S Ethan Summa, Jr.
Keys to victory: Well-coached programs aren’t typically susceptible to letdowns, though Whiteland would certainly benefit should the Olympians be looking ahead to regional competition a week from tonight. Columbus East is one of the state’s highest-scoring teams (47.5 ppg), so sustaining long, clock-consuming drives would definitely work in the Warriors’ favor.
Notable: Since being limited to 13 points in its lone loss of the season, a Week 2 setback against Columbus North, the Olympians haven’t produced less than 35 points in a game.
Roncalli (11-0) at Greenwood (8-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Webcast: portal.stretchinternet.com/roncalli
Recent history: The Rebels have taken all three meetings with the Woodmen, all in tournament play — a 17-7 regional victory in 2005 and sectional wins in 2012 (35-14) and 2015 (35-19).
Sagarin ratings: Roncalli 82.89 (24th overall, second in Class 4A), Greenwood 69.42 (65th overall, 12th in 4A).
Players to watch: Roncalli — QB Derek O’Connor, Sr.; RB Patrick McManama, Jr.; WR Luke Smock, Sr.; LB Christian Brueggeman; K Patrick Sandler, Sr. Greenwood — QB Seth Gallman, Jr.; RB Isaiah Borjas, So.; WR Dylan Rosado, Sr.; DL Will Wolf, Sr.; LB A.J. Montgomery, Sr.; LB Bryce Taylor, So.; K-P Damon Maynard, Sr.
Keys to victory: Though Roncalli is more known as a running team, the pinpoint precision of left-handed senior quarterback Derek O’Connor is among the main reasons the Rebels are still in contention. O’Connor, a crafty runner when the pocket collapses, must be slowed by the Greenwood defense if the Woodmen are to win the program’s first sectional title since 2005.
Notable: Since the 2000 postseason, Roncalli is 22-8 in games played in November. Greenwood, meanwhile, is just 1-7.
